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Original report by the aux i/c Mr B Matthews B.E.M.
At 05:11 Mumbles reported to me that the Pier Head Port Talbot had told them that a small vessel was ashore near Port Talbot.I at once went to the Pier Head and the Pier Master told me,he thought it was the M.V.Michael Swenden on the Aberavon side and was sending out a tug from P.T. and one from Swansea This was reported to Mumbles also I am going to the Aberavon side to see for myself, taking J Palmer with me.
on arriving at Aberavon Beach we found that the vessel was ashore about 200 yds from HW and 200 yds North of the North Pier but she had fired no rockets She was Broadside and in surf and it would be impossible for the tugs to get a line to her as there was not enough water for her. As i got to my house the police car overtook me and stated that the vessel was working towards the Pier and working in very heavy and they asked me to get the gear down the beach.All this was reported to Mumbles at 07:00 hrs who ordered i should call out the company this was done at 07:05.
The Lorry arrived at 07:20 supplied by the Steel Co of Wales.We arrived at the Aberavon Beach at 07:30 I found that the vessel had worked up to the HW Mark I then got a line aboard by going on the Pier and throwing a line at the vessel which they willing and stated they were Staying on the Ship.When the tide left the vessel the Capt came ashore and thanked us for what we had done also asking me to stand by. I dismissed the company but keep 2 men standing by with me until the tide made again.The coy report had also the District Officer and coastguard team arrived again and we stood by but the wire that had been put out by the tugs parted and again iI dismissed the coy but put 2 men to stand by the time being 20:00 hrs
3/2/57 District Officer ??? The tug reported back also the D.C. Coastguard Jones and again the wires parted so again after the tide had left her I dismissed the company after 22:00 hrs but it was requested that we remain with the search light (note still in use today) on the beach for the men to get some more wires down for the morning tide.The DC left his search light with me so I could have 2 lights running. I order Mr E Locke back with me for the job Mr E Locke reported to me at 23:30 we got the lights running he up on the prom and I with mine half way between the High & LW Mark on the beach the party finished at 03:30 The Tug Company reported also the DC with PT CG Jones and again the wires parted so it was then decided after the tide had left the vessel that we should get the gear back to the station this was done dismissing the company at 11:00 hrs.
The DC also ordered a watch at 2 hrs before until 2 hrs after HW until am tide of the 14th. On the 14th I was ordered to take the gear with 6 of the company to Aberavon Beach for the pm tide as they were trying to refloat the vessel in view of the bashing she was getting from the backwash from the Pier.The company assembled at 15:30 at the L.S.A. house and we left the station at 15:45 by Messers Richards lorry Arriving at the Beach at 16:00 hrs we got the line aboard and stood by. At 17:24 the tug succeeded in refloating the vessel and took it to Port Talbot Docks for Dry docking.We made up the gear and got back to station putting away the gear and dismissed the company at 18:30. Transcribed by Mr A Aurbrey retired aux
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